On October 20, the lobby at the Grand Traverse Resort became my favorite hotel lobby in the world.

An iconic, award-winning Traverse City hotel, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa towers above the Grand Traverse Bay. Rotating doors open to a massive expanse, mahogany wood accenting the neutral, alabaster interior. Natural sunlight streams through the atrium and skylights. Lounge chairs and a piano gather in the center of the lobby, beneath dangling flags. An indoor water feature trickles adjacent to the lobby bar toward the back.

Guests check in to reception to the left. A line of eager eyed brides queue up to attend a bridal expo in the ballroom. Straight ahead, a hallway leads to restaurants and a spa. It’s bustling.

There’s an energy in this lobby, but nothing compared to the energy when the hotel lobby came alive that night.

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(more…)

My sister looked like she was about to vomit.

“I can’t do it. I’m done.” She lamented, furrowing her brow and clutching her stomach.

No. NO. We’re doing this.

“We can’t give up,” I tried to encourage, while neglecting her discomfort.

Her eyes dropped, surrendering her gaze to the round O of fried batter coated with sweet cinnamon and sugar.

“I’m gonna barf.”

To anyone else, consuming a cinnamon-sugar donut and Michigan apple cider at the height of autumn is a delightful experience. But for my sister, who was now on, well, probably donut #6, that sweet donut indulgence turned sickly. Too. Much. Sugar.

You see, this wasn’t a challenge to eat as many donuts as gluttony would allow. No, we were on a mission to visit as many southeast Michigan cider mills in a day. We HAD to find the best cider mill in metro Detroit. We needed to determine who ranked as our favorite cider mill. We wanted to map out a Michigan Donut Trail or Michigan Fall Cider Crawl and discover the little nuances in atmosphere and flavor that make each cider mill unique.

And, to add to the torture, we filmed it.

While there are plenty of cider mills in Metro Detroit, we chose a particular area with an increased concentration of donuts and cider, which we lovingly and creatively coined the “Apple Corridor” (get it? Apple “Core”-idor?).

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Ranking among the top apple producers in the country, it’s no surprise that an abundance of cider mills operate in Michigan.

During the fall, families, lovers, and friends flock to these cider mills. And why wouldn’t they? It’s the most quintessential autumn activity. Yet every cider mill is different and ever donut and cider tastes different.

So I wanted to challenge myself.

Visit as many cider mills as possible in a single day.

Determine which cider and which donut is my favorite. Everyone needs to have their go-to cider mill, right?

So I invited my sister to join me on a mini adventure to visit as many southeast Michigan cider mills in a day. We called it the Sisters Fall Cider Crawl (or the Michigan Fall Cider Crawl). 

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Advice for Visiting Multiple Cider Mills

Bring cash.

The spend range at each cider mill will be $2-5. Most cider mills require a minimum $10 spend for credit cards. Bring small denomination bills.

Eat and drink in moderation.

Remember, the goal for the cider crawl is to visit as many Michigan cider mills in a day. If you have a whole donut and cup of cider at every single cider mill, you’ll never make it – you’ll get a sugar hangover by the time you get to your fourth stop. If you’re going with a companion, split the cider and donut.

Snack between cider mills.

A sugared palette craves a salty intermission. Ever been to a beer festival and see people wearing pretzel necklaces? Same applies for the cider crawl. Trust me, your taste buds will want a break from all the cider and donuts. Bring something like popcorn or pretzels.

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Map of Michigan Cider Mills

I created the map below to help you with your own Michigan fall cider crawl. Zooming into southeast Michigan, you’ll see the cider mills we visited in a different color. If any orchards/cider mills were missed, please send me a message or add it to the comments below and the map will be updated.

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The Michigan Fall Cider Crawl: A Trail of Southeast Michigan Cider Mills

For the sake of good puns, we’ll call it the Apple Corridor. You get it, right? Apple Core-idor?

There’s a stretch of cider mills that straddle the borders of Oakland County and Macomb Country (zoom in on the map above to get a better view). This concentration of orchards and cider mills create an efficient trail to easily visit over 10 cider mills in a day. And if you’re extra ambitious, depending on where your journey begins, more can be added.

For the sake of this post, we’re starting south and working our way up.

• Total drive time between cider mills: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total miles driven between cider mills: 44 miles

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Middleton Cider Mill

Shelby Township, Michigan | est. 1956

A family-owned cider mill that makes its own products. Middleton Cider Mill is a smaller, less busy alternative to the popular Yates up the road. A duck pond keeps children entertained. Middleton’s cider is light and refreshing.

Yates Cider Mill

Rochester Hills, Michigan | est. 1863

One of the most popular cider mills in Michigan, Yates Cider Mill has been a community staple since the 1800s, following the same cider recipe that families have enjoyed for over a century. Walk along the Yates Trail adjacent to the Clinton River. Yates’ cider is a flavorful burst of apples. The donuts are puffy and soft, like dumplings.

Yates also has an outpost in Canterbury Village in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Rochester Cider Mill

Rochester, Michigan | est. 1981

The most photogenic cider mill, Rochester Cider Mill is seasonally decorated with pumpkins, mums, cornstalks, and golden leaves to complement its antique farm equipment. While its charm stays the same, the cider does not. The flavor varies week to week depending on the apple inventory.

Paint Creek Cider Mill

Rochester, Michigan | est. 2012

Paint Creek Cider Mill is nestled along the Paint Creek Trail and Paint Creek. The cider’s apple flavor is strong. The donuts are crispy, with cinnamon mixed in the batter.

Goodison Cider Mill

Rochester, Michigan | est. 1970s

A small cider mill with big flavor! only a quarter away from Paint Creek, Goodison Cider Mill creates an incredible product using a century old apple press. The cider is rich and smooth. The donut tastes like an elephant ear, with cinnamon and sugar that coats the dough to create a crunchy layer. Delicious.

Verellen Orchards & Cider

Washington, Michigan | est. 1970s

Originally a 1920s dairy farm, Verellen Orchards added cider and donuts in the 70s. Sit among their fruit trees as you enjoy their cider and donut. Their donut has a hint of orange blossom flavor. The cider is sweet, definitely the sweetest of the ciders listed here!

Westview Orchards Winery

Washington, Michigan | est. 1813

A fall family fun-zone. There’s so much to do and see at Westview Orchards (especially for kids!). You can taste the six-generations of family in their cider and donuts. The best way I can describe their cider is thick and opaque. It’s good!

Miller’s Big Red

Washington/Romeo, Michigan

Known for their u-pick fruits! Unfortunately I skipped this place on my cider crawl (needed a sugar break, see advice above) so I can’t comment on their cider and donuts. Let me know what your experience with Big Red was like in the comments.

Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill

Romeo, Michigan

Just up the road from Big Red, Stony Creek Orchard is the contrast to the crowded, overwhelming super mills. Stony Creek is small and intimate, with more of a family farm ambiance. PSL lovers, sometimes this orchard will make pumpkin spice donuts!

Hy’s Cider Mill

Romeo, Michigan | est. 1970s

Dirt roads lead to good things. Like Hy’s Cider Mill. Hy’s has that classic cider mill vibe, with a massive stretch of apple trees and empty fields and trees as far as the eye can see. Their donuts are very soft and puffy and their cider has a hint of tartness.

Blake’s Orchard

Armada, Michigan | est. 1946

One of my family favorites. Nobody can go wrong with a visit to Blake’s Orchard. Beyond their amazing cider and donuts, they have u-pick, family activities, and my favorite, HARD cider.

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Our Michigan Fall Cider Crawl

As mentioned earlier, I challenged my sister to visit as many Michigan cider mills as possible in a day. We recorded the entire adventure, so you can watch our live reactions to the different cider mills. Hope you’re entertained! Watch out, Travel Channel. The Carnagie Sisters are the next big thing in video production!

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The Best Southest Michigan Cider Mills?

And the award goes to…

Fluffiest, puffiest donuts: Yates Cider Mill & Hy’s Cider Mill

Crispiest donuts: Paint Creek Cider Mill & Goodison Cider Mill

Most cinnamon-y donut: Paint Creek Cider Mill

Tastiest cider + donut combo: Goodison Cider Mill

Sweetest cider: Verellen Orchards

Tartest cider: Hy’s Cider Mill

Best family-fun cider mill: Westview Orchards, Blake’s Orchards

Most instagrammable cider mill: Rochester Cider Mill

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Don’t forget to pin it!